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Columbus Blue Jackets News

Merzlikins will start Thursday in San Jose.

Merzlikins stopped 37 of 40 shots in the Blue Jackets win in Anaheim on Tuesday. Merzlikins has been sensational since taking over for Joonas Korpisalo on New Year's Eve. Merzlikins is 4-1-0 with a 2.01 GAA and .940 SV% in five starts and draws a great matchup against a Sharks team that is now missing Logan Couture.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins led the Blue Jackets onto the ice for warmups.

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Blue Jackets loss to the Sharks on Saturday. Since taking over the No.1 job, Merzlikinsn has gone 2-1-0 while stopping 86 of the 91 shots (.945 SV%) that he has faced. So far so good and tonight he faces a Kings team that has gone 2-4-1 with 2.29 goals per game in their last seven. B

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins will start Thursday in Boston.

Merzlikins stopped 36 of 37 shots in the Blue Jackets win over the Panthers on Tuesday. It was an outstanding effort from Merzlikins in his first game as the Blue Jackets new No.1 netminder. It was Merzlikins first career NHL win but his second may have to wait a little longer. The Bruins are 14-1-8 while scoring 3.43 goals per game in Boston this year.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins will start Tuesday vs. the Panthers.

Merzlikins was handed the loss after replacing Joonas Korpisalo in the shootout on Sunday. With Korpisalo out for at least one month, this will be a huge test for the 25-year-old Merzlikins. Tonight will be his first career start on home-ice and hopefully it goes better than his first eight road outings--0-4-4 with a 3.41 GAA and .889 SV%.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins is expected to start Tuesday in Detroit.

Merzlikins was pulled after allowing two goals on eight shots in the Blue Jackets' loss in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon. Merzlikins is still searching for his first NHL win after starting his career 0-4-3 with a 3.41 GAA and .889 SV%. He has not played well but a matchup vs. the Red Wings is a great opportunity to mark one in the win column.

Elvis Merzlikins
The Blue Jackets have activated Zach Werenski (shoulder) from IR.

This is surprising. The Blue Jackets announced that Werenski will miss one month with a sprained AC joint just over two weeks ago, but activating him from IR suggests he will play tonight in Detroit. The 22-year-old is a Michigan native, so he will be playing in front of family if he is in the lineup and comes in with 16 points (6G / 10A) in 26 games this season.

Zach Werenski